Every Major Actor from ‘CSI’ Franchise Who Died

The ‘CSI’ franchise spans Las Vegas, Miami, New York, and a cyber unit, and across those shows many familiar faces passed through the lab and the field. A number of notable performers who appeared in episodes or recurring arcs have since died, leaving behind credits that remain part of the franchise’s long history.

This roundup focuses on actors connected to ‘CSI’ who have passed away, with clear details on the roles they played and confirmed information about their deaths. It is meant to help readers quickly place each person within the wider universe of ‘CSI’ stories and characters.

Evan Ellingson

Evan Ellingson had a recurring role on ‘CSI: Miami’ as Kyle Harmon, the son of Horatio Caine. His storyline ran across multiple seasons and connected directly to Horatio’s personal life, with appearances that marked turning points in cases that involved custody issues, mentorship, and the pressures of growing up around law enforcement.

Ellingson died on November 5, 2023, in Fontana, California, at the age of 35. Authorities determined the cause of death to be an accidental fentanyl overdose, and official records confirmed the circumstances following the investigation.

John Heard

John Heard appeared on ‘CSI: Miami’ as Kenwall Duquesne, the father of Calleigh Duquesne. He was featured in several early seasons and was shown as a defense attorney whose personal struggles and professional choices often collided with the team’s work, creating complications that affected Calleigh during significant cases.

Heard died on July 21, 2017, in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 71. Reports noted that he had undergone back surgery earlier that week, and the details surrounding his passing were documented by local authorities and later confirmed in public records.

Lisa Sheridan

Lisa Sheridan guest starred on ‘CSI: Miami’ in an investigation that tied her character to casework affecting multiple members of the core team. Her appearances placed her within unfolding storylines that explored how victims, witnesses, and suspects intersected with the lab’s findings.

Sheridan died on February 25, 2019, at her home in New Orleans, at the age of 44. The coroner later listed the cause of death as complications from chronic alcoholism, and that determination clarified initial uncertainty in early notices.

Elizabeth Peña

Elizabeth Peña appeared on ‘CSI: Miami’ as Miami Dade Councilwoman Mercedes Escalante in a high profile case that pulled the team into courtroom dynamics and political pressure. The episode positioned her character at the center of competing interests that tested the unit’s evidence against public scrutiny.

Peña died on October 14, 2014, in Los Angeles, at the age of 55. Her passing was followed by tributes that summarized her long list of film and television credits, which included her guest role within the ‘CSI: Miami’ lineup.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman guest starred on ‘CSI: NY’ early in his screen career. His episode credit placed him among the key guest cast for that week’s case, and it remains one of several television appearances he made before moving into leading roles in major films.

Boseman died on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43, after a private battle with colon cancer. The announcement was shared by his family and was followed by updates that documented the timeline and confirmed the cause of death.

Skip O’Brien

Skip O’Brien had a recurring role on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ as Officer Ray O’Riley. He appeared throughout the early seasons, supporting the core team in field operations and follow up work that connected patrol level response to the lab’s forensic analysis.

O’Brien died on April 6, 2018, in New Jersey, at the age of 67. Obituaries recorded his longtime ties to the region and his television career, noting his run on the original Las Vegas series among his most recognized credits.

Scott Wilson

Scott Wilson recurred on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ as Sam Braun, a powerful casino owner and the father of Catherine Willows. His appearances shaped several major storylines in the Las Vegas setting, including conflicts where personal history intersected with evidence and procedure.

Wilson died on October 6, 2018, at the age of 76, from complications related to leukemia. The news prompted renewed attention to his television work, which included his recurring arc on the original ‘CSI’ alongside a long career in film.

Carmen Argenziano

Carmen Argenziano made guest appearances within the franchise that drew on his background playing law enforcement figures and underworld characters. His roles placed him inside investigations where the team navigated suspects tied to organized crime and community level power brokers.

Argenziano died on February 10, 2019, at the age of 75. Industry notices marked his decades of steady television work and cited his turns across procedural dramas, which included his time on the ‘CSI’ slate.

Pamela Gidley

Pamela Gidley recurred on ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’ as forensic anthropologist Teri Miller. The character consulted with the Las Vegas team on remains analysis, providing specialized expertise when cases hinged on skeletal evidence and identity questions outside the lab’s day to day scope.

Gidley died on April 16, 2018, in New Hampshire, at the age of 52. Her family announced that she died peacefully, and memorials highlighted her work in both film and television along with her recurring role in the original series.

Brad Johnson

Brad Johnson appeared in the franchise as a guest star during the run of the network procedurals. His episode credit placed him within a case that combined field work with lab findings, aligning with his many television appearances across the same era.

Johnson died on February 18, 2022, in Texas, at the age of 62, from complications related to COVID 19. Announcements at the time reviewed his film and television résumé and noted his guest roles on popular dramas from the period.

Kelly Preston

Kelly Preston made a guest appearance within the franchise during its network run. Her role placed her inside a case built around corporate and personal stakes, with scenes that connected witness interviews and evidence handling to the broader investigation.

Preston died on July 12, 2020, at the age of 57, after a private battle with breast cancer. Statements from her family and colleagues at the time reflected on her career in film and television and noted the guest roles she took on in later years.

Share your thoughts in the comments about the roles or episodes from these actors that you remember most.